His Origins
Tammuz was a Mesopotamian deity present in Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian religion. He was the husband of the fertility and love goddess Ishtar and was worshipped annually during the month of Tammuz. He is predominantly mentioned in the Old Testament of the bible, referred to as “Adonis” in the Hellenistic periods and appears as a deity in both Sumerian and Akkadian literature.
His origin is said to have been popular with ancient Semitic peoples, who believed that he was born from the primordial union of the god Enki and the goddess Ninhursag. According to another story, Tammuz was the son of Ea, the Sumerian god of water and wisdom, and Ninsar, the daughter of Enlil, who was the chief god of the Sumerian pantheon.
His Representation
In Sumerian literature, Tammuz is described as an attractive young man and is sometimes depicted carrying a bow and arrows. In artwork and statuary from ancient Mesopotamia, he is usually shown with a fish in one hand and a shepherd’s crook in the other. He is also occasionally shown with grapevines or a bow and arrows.
In Akkadian and Babylonian texts, Tammuz is described in various hymns and other works as a young god who is mourned and resurrected. He is sometimes shown wearing a lock of hair and occasionally adorned with a flower crown.
His Mythology
According to Sumerian mythology, Tammuz was slain by his uncle, the god Enlil, after he disobeyed the rules of the Underworld. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the goddess Ishtar pleaded for his resurrection and was eventually granted his release.
In Akkadian and Babylonian mythology, Tammuz is sometimes portrayed as a fruit-bearing deity and is said to have brought water and fertility to the land. During the reign of the Assyrian Empire, he became associated with agricultural deities and was sometimes portrayed as a young shepherd or hunter.
In ancient times, Tammuz was said to have been a symbol of renewal and resurrection, which explains why his worship was so popular with ancient Semitic peoples.
His Cult
Tammuz is said to have been one of the most popular deities in Mesopotamian religion. He was worshipped by both the Assyrians and Babylonians, who celebrated an annual festival in his honour during the month of Tammuz. During this festival, the people would observe a period of fasting and mourning for the god. In some parts of the Middle East, Tammuz was also associated with Adonis, another fertility god.
Tammuz’ cult was still popular during the Hellenistic period, and he was sometimes referred to by the Greek name ‘Adonis’. The cult was eventually brought to a close during the Christianization of the Roman Empire, but traces of his worship can still be found in some Near Eastern traditions.
His Mention In The Bible
The Old Testament of the Bible mentions Tammuz several times, mostly in relation to the pagan practices of the time. The prophet Ezekiel was a strong critic of Tammuz’ worship and condemned it several times in his writings.
In Ezekiel 8:14, for example, the prophet says “Then he brought me to the door
